Description
Operate and maintain drilling rigs to bore blast holes in rock and soil per blast plans, laying out patterns and drilling to specified depths, diameters, and angles; document conditions, ensure safety and compliance, and coordinate with blasting crews.
- • Review blast plans, maps, and specs to determine hole locations, depths, diameters, angles, and spacing.
- • Lay out and mark drill and blast patterns using GPS, survey stakes, paint, or lasers.
- • Set up, position, level, and stabilize drill rigs on benches or pads.
- • Align mast and collar holes to required azimuth and inclination.
- • Drill blast holes to specified depths and diameters, adjusting RPM, feed, and air or water pressure.
- • Measure hole depths with weighted tape, electronic gauges, or drill console readouts.
- • Record drilling parameters and production metrics for each hole.
- • Log geology, voids, water, and hardness encountered during drilling.
- • Flush cuttings and clean holes with air, water, or foam; ream and clean collars.
- • Dewater or condition wet holes; install temporary casing when required.
- • Backfill, plug, or redrill mislocated, shallow, or collapsed holes per plan.
- • Install hole plugs, collars, or protectors to maintain hole integrity.
- • Maintain a safe work area with barricades, signage, and spotters; enforce exclusion zones.
- • Communicate with blasters, survey, and operations via radio; report deviations from plan.
- • Mobilize, move, and position drills and support vehicles safely around site.
- • Load, change, and handle drill steel, rods, couplings, and bits using hoists or rod changers.
- • Perform pre-shift inspections; troubleshoot and repair minor mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues.
- • Service rigs by fueling, lubricating, changing bits, and replacing wear parts.
- • Manage dust suppression and cuttings control to meet environmental standards.
- • Follow lockout/tagout, MSHA/OSHA, and site safety procedures.
- • Maintain inventories of bits, rods, lubricants, and other consumables; request resupply.
- • Keep drilling logs, hole maps, and QA/QC records; submit shift reports.
- • Operate auxiliary equipment such as compressors, water pumps, and generators.
- • Assist with bench preparation, scaling loose rock, and ground conditioning as needed.
- • Signal and coordinate with crane or loader operators when moving equipment or materials.
- • Hand off drilled patterns to blasting crews and verify hole counts, depths, and conditions.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
